This week on OWN IT, we’re talking to Hollie Fraser of Shelance. It is a community of freelance female creatives that serves to help that talent get found and seen. As you might imagine, Hollie spent time as a freelance creative, but comes from a long history of working at some of the biggest agencies in the world. Leo Burnett, Grey, MMC and others.
She started Shelance in 2023 after frustration with hearing the complaint that it’s hard to find great female creatives. Hollie didn’t agree but saw the opportunity to start a community to lift up strong women on the creative side of advertising.
We talked about her journey, her perspective on the industry and so much more. We love what she’s doing and so enjoyed our conversation. We're sure you will, too.
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For freelancers, especially women, having a supportive community is crucial for success. This community acts as a cheerleading squad, offering encouragement during tough times and fostering a sense of shared purpose. Building connections within this community can lead to unexpected opportunities and organic collaborations, highlighting the benefits of mutual support over competition.
Many women hesitate to pursue leadership roles or entrepreneurship because they feel underqualified or unworthy. However, true leadership often requires taking initiative without waiting for external validation. The key is to grant oneself the permission to act and pursue goals, rather than seeking approval, as competence often develops through the act of doing.
The common complaint in the advertising industry that it's hard to find talented female creatives is often an excuse rooted in limited networks. Platforms like Shelance aim to dismantle this by centralizing and showcasing diverse female talent, thereby removing any legitimate reason for decision-makers to claim they can't find qualified women for roles.
Transitioning from a creative role to business ownership introduces new challenges, particularly in areas like business development and monetization. Creatives often struggle with aspects like financial negotiations and scaling a business. Recognizing these weaknesses and potentially seeking partners or external support is vital for growth and sustainability.
